IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


'/■ 


^ 


A 


(./ 


.%/ 


1.0 


I.I 


1^128     12.5 

150   "^^     UiME 

■tt  1^    III  2.2 
12.0 


U 


1.8 


11.25  ill  1.4   mil  1.6 


V] 


<^ 


/i 


>' 


//^ 


/ 


■>y 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Coiporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  145B0 

(716)  872-4503 


% 


fe 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microieproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographicalEy  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


./ 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculie 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


□    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  coulnur 

□    Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  sarrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  dune  rastauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  4tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film6es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  '<r  meilleur  exemplai'e 
qu'il  lui  a  6td  possibio  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normale  de  fiimage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 


□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul6es 

0    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicolor^es,  tacheties  ou  piqudes 

I      I    Pages  detached/ 


D 


Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Qualiti  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materic 
Comprend  du  matdriel  suppl^mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


I  I  Showthrough/ 

I  I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I  I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I  I  Only  edition  available/ 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  imago/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  it6  filmies  A  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmA  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessocjs. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


1 


26X 


30X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmad  har«  hat  bean  reproduced  thanka 
to  the  generoalty  of: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

The  imagea  appearing  here  are  the  beat  quality 
poaaibla  conaldaring  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  apacifications. 


Original  copies  In  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
oth^r  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
ahall  contain  the  symbol  —^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  retios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hend  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaira  film*  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gAnAroaitA  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Las  images  sulventes  ont  At*  reproduites  avec  ie 
plus  grtiid  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  Ie  nettetA  de  I'exemplaire  filmA,  et  en 
conformity  avec  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  eat  imprimAe  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant 
per  Ie  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  !a 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'iliustratlon,  soit  par  Ie  second 
plat,  salon  Ie  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  Ie 
cas:  ie  symbole  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  Ie 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  dtre 
fiimAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  Ie  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clichA,  il  est  fiimA  6  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  i  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  Ie  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


12  3 


f     % 

.  ., 

8 

!        4 

5 

6 

"rf 


■ 

I 

Il>f 

• 

0 

^ 

SPEECH 


Olf 


R.  COBB,  OF  GEORGIA, 


ON   THE 


OREGON    Q  U  ES T  10  N 


OISLlVgRRD 


in   THE    HOUSE   OF    RK  PR  BSE  N  T  ATI  V  ES, 


JANUARY   8,    IS46, 


WASHINGTON: 

iPRIXrniO  AT  THE  UNION  OFFICE. 

1846. 


<i 


On  motk 


Mr.  COB 

yesterday)  i 

pvrpoM,  sir 

a  iengt)icne( 

I  feel,  howe 

cee  bf  whic 

nyseir,  and 

floor,  to  aub 

induced    mt 

pursue  in  re 

foriUBO,  perl 

qneetion,  in' 

oar  country 

friends  from 

oome,  and  i 

statesman — 

ered  expres 

tion  of  the 

mark  of  tin 

man,  and  hi: 

entertained, 

gard.    But 

eharactcr,  1 1 

to  myself,  an 

every  considi 

interest  of  th 

the  issue.     I 

fl«cy  for  the  i 

from  that  wh 

not  of  the  re 

shoulders.     1 

oy  I  coiiceiv 

Curauc  in  reft 
y  the  re.sr>li 
Foieiirn  Afla 
by  the  fact,  tl 
that  report.* 
this  House  ai 
have  induced 
carried  out,  c 
— I  will  not  8 
At  this  peri 
•onsidcr  1  m 
Neeeesary  and 
attempt  to  sua 
sesses  and  ha 
tory—lo  the  w 
opinions  mny 
cifilizcd  worl( 
ed  by  tluit  ir 
world,  with  w 
test  on  the  qu 
fells  apon  the 

*.\Ir.  CooB  1*  g 
«ia  ForeigB  Afla 
ported. 


SPE  ^.CH. 


On  motion  of  Mr.  Cobb,  the  House  resolved  itself  into  Committee  of  the  ff^holt 
on  the  state  of  the  Union,  on  the  Oregon  qneation. 


Mr.  COBB  (who  held  the  right  to  the  floor  from 
yesterday)  addressed  the  committee.  It  ia  not  my 
purpose,  air,  (said  he,)  to  detain  the  committee  with 
a  lengtlicned  argument  upon  the  Oregon  question. 
I  feel,  however,  that,  under  the  peculiar  circumstan- 
eea  by  which  this  subject  is  surrounded,  I  owe  it  to 
myself,  and  to  those  whom  1  represent  upon  this 
floor,  to  submit  to  the  House  the  reasons  which  ha^e 
induced  me  to  that  course,  which  I  intend  to 
pursue  in  reference  to  this  questien.  It  is  my  min- 
fonune,  perhaps,  upon  so  grave  and  important  a 
qiieetioi),  involving  so  much  for  weal  or  for  wo  to 
our  counlry,  to  differ  wiih  many  of  my  political 
friends  from  the  section  of  the  country  from  which  I 
come,  and  to  differ  with  a  distinguished  southern 
statesman — a  man  whose  voice  is  generally  consid- 
ered expressive  of  the  feelings  of  the  southern  por- 
tion of  the  country;  and  I  may  be  permitted  to  re- 
mark of  that  individual — for  his  patriotism  as  a 
man,  and  his  ability  as  a  statesman— I  have  ever 
entertained,  and  slil!  do  entertain,  the  highest  re- 
gard. But  when  considering  a  question  of  this 
•haractcr,  1  am  compelled,  by  a  sense  of  duty  I  owe 
to  myself,  and  to  my  own  constituents,  to  disregard 
every  consideration,  save  that  of  the  honor  and  the 
interest  of  the  counlry,  so  far  as  they  are  involved  in 
the  issue.  (  alone  am  responsible  to  thatconstitu- 
flMcy  for  the  course  I  may  pursue  here.  IfitdiiTers 
from  that  which  others  see  fit  to  fake,  they  partake 
not  of  the  responsibility.  It  falls  alone  upon  my 
shoulders.  I  assume  it,  Mr.  Chairman.  The  poli- 
cy I  conceive  it  to  bo  the  duty  of  this  country  to 
Cnrauc  in  reference  to  the  subject  brought  forward 
y  the  resolution  reported  by  the  Committee  on 
Foreign  Affairs,  is  already  indicated  to  the  House 
by  the  fiict,  that  I  have  concurred  in  the  propriety  of 
that  report.*  And  my  purpose  is  now  to  submit  to 
this  House  and  to  the  counlry,  the  reasons  which 
bave  induced  me  to  believe  that  that  policy  must  be 
carried  o\it,  or  ihe  interest  of  the  country  weakened 
— I  will  not  say  destroyed. 

At  this  period  of  time,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  should 
consider  1  was  inflicling  upon  the  House  an  un- 
necessary and  nn  unpalatable  argument,  if  I  were  to 
attempt  lo  sustain  the  titia  by  which  this  country  pos- 
sesses and  holds  a  just  claim  to  the  Oregon  terri- 
tory— lo  the  whole  of  (he  Oreson  terrilory.  Whatever 
Of>inions  may  be  entertained  in  other  portions  of  the 
civilized  world;  whatever  opinions  may  bcentciiiiin- 
ed  by  that  master.spirit  of  the  nations  of  the  other 
world,  witti  whom  we  are  now  thrown  into  a  con- 
test on  the  question — in  this  country  but  one  voice 
Mia  npoa  the  ear — but  one  deep,  well-founded  opin- 


'.Mr.  CoDB  U  a  member  of  the  nujority  6fth«  Committee 
a/x  ForeigB  AAtin,  trom  whom  ttrti  rcMlHtlon  wu  re- 
ported. 

-9  r    » "- .'  \  ^  <i  * '. 


ion  exists.  No  doubts  now  remain  on  the  minds 
of  American  statesmen,  that  the  government  of  the 
United  States  holds  a  clear  and  unqv  estionable  titi>. 
to  Ihe  whole  of  the  Oregon  territory 

I  propose  not  to  discuss  it;  but  I  desire  that'  this 
proposition  may  be  considered  as  idmitted ;  that  it 
shall  go  before  the  country  in  connexion  with  the 
argument  I  propose  to  make  in  favor  of  the  policy 
suggested  by  the  resolution  on  your  table;  that  iC 
may  go  to  the  country  as  the  admitted  and^indispu- 
table  opinion  of  American  statesmen,  with  scarcely 
any — if,  indeed,  any — dissenting  voice;  that  our 
title  to  the  Oregon  territory  is  thus  considered, 
by  us,  clear  and  vnqueitionabU. 

There  is  another  proposition,  Mr.  Chairman, 
which  I  will  not  stop  to  discuss;  but  I  desire  to 
place  it,  like  the  one  to  which  I  have  just  alluded, 
on  the  footing  of  an  axiomatic  fact,  that  the  import- 
ance of  this  territory  to  our  government  and  our 
people — whether  it  is  considered  in  reference  to  ag- 
riculture, to  manufactures,  or  to  commerce — is  no 
longer  a  debatable  issue.  Not  that  I  consider  il  a 
subject  commanding  the  clear  approbation  and  the 
warm  feelings  of  the  West  in  its  behalf,  but  I  de- 
sire to  raise  it  higher,  and  to  place  it  on  a  loftier  pia- 
nacle.  It  is  a  national  question,  aide  by  side  with 
that  important  national  question — the  annexation  of 
Texas — which  has  already  received  the  sanction  of 
this  government.  For  myself,  then,  and  my  con- 
stituents, I  entera  sfilemn  protest  against  the  opinions 
which  may  have  been  advanced  here  or  el:  iwhere, 
that  the  question  of  Oregon  ia  a  western  question, 
or  any  other  sectional  question.  It  is  one  in  whick 
the  whole  nation  feels  a  deep  and  a  lively  interest, 
and  one  upon  which  the  whole  nation  will,  sooner 
or  later,  speak  with  a  voice  approximating  unanimi- 
ty, if  we,  sir,  do  our  duty. 

I  do  not  propose,  Mr.  Chairman,  to  detain  yow, 
either,  with  a  reciti.1  of  the  long-pending  nego- 
tiation which  has  been  carried  on  between  the 
British  government  and  our  own,  in  reference 
to  the  adjustment  of  this  perplexing  and  vexed 
Ciuestion.  I  desire,  however,  as  preliminary  to 
the  first,  and  perhops  the  most  important  reason 
which  I  shall  submit  to  you  for  my  support  of 
this  measure,  to  refer  very  briefly  to  tne  state 
of  the  negotiation  as  it  now  stands  between 
this  government  and  Great  Britain.  In  1818  our 
government  and  the  British  government  entered 
into  a  convention,  by  which  it  was  agreed  that, 
for  certain  purposes,  each  of  these  governments 
should  be  entitled  to  equal  privileges  within  this 
disputed  territory;  whether  you  term  it  a  conven- 
tion for  the  purpose  of  joint  occupation,  or  for  the 
purpose  of  commerce,  navigation,  and  settlement, 
(aa  that  is  the  language  of  the  convention,)  ia  im- 
material to  my  purpose.    Subseqaeotly  to  this  con- 


vention  of  1818,  whieh  wm  'o  e\pire  by  its  own 
NmiuiUon  in  ten  jetun,  the  convention  wu  r«nawe<i, 
and  the  convention  renewirtg  the  former  one  eon- 
tinuce  it  in  (brce  forever,  unmM  t'je  one  or  the  other 

Sovernment,  by  giving  twelve  months'  notice  of  its 
eaire  to  do  so,  shall  terminate  it.  During:  the  pen- 
dency of  thisconvention,  there  have  been  effbrtfl  made 
to  nettle  and  adjust  this  qacniion  The  claims  of  the 
British  government  have  been  urged  with  great 
power  by  her  statesmen;  the  claims  of  our  govern* 
ment  to  the  title  have  been  discussed  also,  and  a  antit- 
factory  conclusion  has  been  reached  in  the  mind* 
of  American  statesmen.  What  are  these  propnsi- 
tionsf  Our  government  has  proposed,  on  more  than 
one  oeeaaon,  to  divide  the  territory  a:  the  49th  de- 
gree of  North  latitude.  'Some  years  back,  we  did,  in 
oonnexion  with  this  proposition,  ogi'ee  to  grant  to 
Qreet  Britain  the  navigation  of  the  Columbia  river. 
Tliis  haa  been  repeated  twice,  if  not  oAener.  But  a 
few  months  ago  our  government  proposed  that  this 
qtiestion  should  be  settled  on  the  49lh  degree,  but 
withheld  any  offer  as  to  the  navigation  of  thii  Co- 
kimbia  river.  During  that  same  period  of  time,  the 
British  governmtnt  have  submitted  to  our  considera- 
tion a  proposition  on  which  they  are  willing  to  ad- 
Just  this  difficulty.  That  proposition,  recently  sub- 
mitted to  our  gtvernment,  is  a  proposition  which 
lakes  the  same  pnrt>l!el  of  49  degrees  until  you  reach 
a  certain  point  on  the  Columbia  river,  and  thei.  she 
travels  down  the  mnin  stream  of  that  river  to  the 
point  where  it  enters  the  ocean.  When  the  propo- 
sition was  last  submitted  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  (and  submitted,  sir,  as  I  believe,  and 
as  the  country  bKlieveg,  in  the  utmost  good  faith, 
and  with  a  sincere  desire  on  the  part  of  (lur  govern- 
ment to  settle  and  adjust  the  difficulty,)  when  that 
proposition  was  submitted  to  the  British  minister, 
jt  was  not  by  him  referred  to  his  government,  but 
ihe  reply  was  made  that  the  British  government  will 
wait  for  a  more  liberal  proposition  to  proceed  from 
the  American  government.  And  here  wo  have 
reached  the  crisis,  as  I  conceive  it,  in  the  ndjustment 
of  this  Orrt^on  question.  We  have  here  presented 
before  us  the  grounds  on  which  England  has  pro- 
posed to  settle  the  Oregon  difficulty;  we  have  before 
UB  the  proposition  on  which  our  government 
kas  heretofore  agreed  to  adjust  this  difficulty.  The 
jvfusal,  and  ide  manner  of  the  refusal,  on  the  port 
•f  the  British  government,  will  Icnvo  no  doi:bt,  as 
it  seems  to  rac,  on  the  mind  of  any  of  us,  that  our 
proposition,  which,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  is  theu/(t- 
atottim,  beyond  ;ill  dispute,  of  the  American  govern- 
ment, will  never  receive  the  sanction  of  the  British 
{{cvemment.  It  has  so  been  declared  to  the  British 
government  by  the  Executive  of  this  government, 
that  this  is  the  uUimatwn  beyond  which  we  cannot 
go- 

Now,  if  you  refuse  to  c^rry  out  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  President,  to  give  notice  to  Great  Britain 
to  bring  to  a  close  this  Joint  occupancy  of  the  Ore- 
eon  territory,  I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the 
House  to  the  inference  and  conclusion  which  must 
inevitably  be  drawn  by  the  Britiish  government 
Your  President  hna  declared  that  the  vUimalum  has 
"been  reached;  in  the  same  communicatior.  in  \A\ich 
lie  transmits  this  information  to  Congress,  he  in- 
forms you  that  from  his  knowledge  of  thin  ncotia- 
tion,  from  the  view  which  he  has  been  enabled  to 
take  of  all  the  matters  in  connexion  with  the  contro- 
,  versy,  it  is  his  deliberate  conviction  that  no  propo- 
■itioo  will  ever  be  made  by  the  British  government 
9i»  which  this  eonntry  can  accede,  and  preserve 


ita  national  honor  and  its  national  fiuth.  In  cMinez- 
loa  with  hie  message  he  recommends  to  you  to 
give  the  notice:  you  refuae  to  do  it.  Mr.  Chairmaa, 
will  any  friend,  or  rather  will  any  opponent  of  Uiia 
measure,  answer  me  this  question:  let  him  place  him- 
self, in  imagination,  in  the  British  Parliament;  carry 
the  information  to  that  Parliament  which  the  Exe- 
cutive has  communicated  to  Congress;  let  that 
he  followed   by  a  vote  on  the  part  of  Congress,  empowered^  th 


requires  proir 
port  of  our  gc 
mended  in  the 
templaied  by  tl 

But  there 
Ronnexion  wii 
I    desire  to  si 
gress  should  ai 


refusing  t    carry  out  the  recommendation  of  the 


the  termination 


President  in  giring  the  notice,  and  will  he  notlnther  inferenrr 
say  that  British  statesmen  will  bo  fully  authorized  tinctly  drawn  b 
to  draw  the  inference  thot  the  Congress  of  the  Uni-  [Jreat  Britain, 
ted  States  is  not  prepared  to  go  with  the  Presides  iemsnives  and 
ill  his  declaration  that  the  proposition  submitted,  re-  American  gove 
jectcd,  and  now  withdrawn,  is  the  Mltiuxalum  of  \iie  hese  two  depai 
American  Qovemment?  It  does  strike  my  miud,  >futive  and  the 
Mr.  Chairman,  if  I  occupied  the  position  which  I  ion  of  the  gov 
have  supposed  British  statesmen  to  occupy,  that  my  ind  ability  ?  'I 
rnind  would  be  drawn  very  clearly  to  the  conclusion  >olicy  evidencir 
thut  the  American  Congress  are  not  prepared  to  lepartmentof  tl 
concur  in  the  opinion  expressed  by  the  Executive  of  i>  assert  and  mi 
the  United  States;  and  tnat,  refusing  to  give  tiiC  no-  Congress  falters 
tice  for  the  termination  of  the  joint  occupancy,  the  iistly  infers  thi 
American  Congress  has  brought  itself  to  one  of  l<vo  ;overnment  sue 
conclusions,  viz:  either  that  the  title  on  which  the  hctwodiflcrcn 
President  so  crjnfidently  relies  is  not  clear  to  the  hat  it  is  imposs 
mind  of  Congress,  or  ehe  that  the  Congress  of  tho  he  occasinn  re'( 
United  Slaves  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  Executive  Jear  rights  of  o 
should  submit,  in  conformity  with  the  suggestion  of  aincd.  Are  ger 
the  British  minister  in  the  close  of  his  lust  communi-  ourseof  conduc 
cation,  a  more  favorable  proposition  to  the  Britiafat  liaracter  on  the 
government.  Well,  sir,  I  submit  not  to  the  Ameri-  am  not  indu 
can  Congress,  but  to  any  member  of  it,  whether  h«(>  much  from 
is  prepared,  by  his  course  of  conduct,  to  justify,  on  overnment  will 
the  part  of  Great  Britain,  an  inference  so  clearly  do-  ot  tlmt  in  my 
ducible  from  the  course  of  conduct  which  we  aw  undiict  would  tn 
called  upon  to  pursue  by  those  who  oppose  the  giv-  irencn  strength 
ing  this  notice,  and  which  is  so  manifestly  opposed  dcIi  con.sideratit 
to  the  known  sentiments  and  opinions  of  the  Ameir-  Durse  of  condur 
ican  people?  If  we  are  determined,  then,  Mr.  Chair-  isiify  an  inferci 
mnii, not  to  sacrifice  this  teiritury,  and  not  to  sub- onciits  in  this 
mitto  the  British  government  a  more  liberal  propo-  'ithout  glvini;  I 
sition  than  the  one  which  has  been  rejected,  is  it  not  mnei.ted  with 
due  to  the  American  government — is  it  not  due  to  le  recomivie.Mdn 
her  national  character,  to  her  national  feelings,  that  ve — and  tlmt 
she  should  no  longer  permit  another  power,  howev-  nd  will  not  bot 
er  great,  however  haughty,  howet'cr  domineering,  orld  who  feci 
to  enjoy  in  common  with  her  rights  to  which  sM  r.iw  this  infon 
has  no  clear  title,  or  to  which  she  has  no  title  what-  id  "uiiquLstion 
ever?  'lo't  of  Oregon, 

Mr.  Chairman;  Has  Great  Britain  ever  made  a  nvo  attempitd 
proposition  to  the  United  States — have  her  statesmes  ventyfive  itar, 
ever  suggested  a  proposition  of  compromise  upoi  !gotiiiiion,\vh( 
this  Oregon  question  which  would  meet  the  response  ire  tlicni  the 
of  an  isolated  voice  in  the  American  Congress.'  Dorm  the  other  i 
gentlemen  anticipate  a  more  favorable  proposition  ;  given  wii)  m 
than  the  one  which  the  British  government  has  sub  ;reed  upon,  wl 
mittedtousf  If  so,  I  desire  to  be  furnished  witli  lecutivo  depart 
the  reasons  for  that  opinion.  Here  is  her  tiUimatum.  iiida  this  niMtic 
IIS  her  whole  course  of  policy  has  evidenced.  Then  •opositionwiil 
is  the  uUimatiim — perhaps,  sir,  beyond  the  ultimatum-  accept — when 
of  the  American  people,  which  has  been  submitte(  iclare  first  voi 
by  our  government.  We  are  divided  by  u  golf;  wi  ;ht,  und  then  r« 
will  not  cross  it;  and  we  have  no  reason  to  belie«<  tasures  for  the 
that  the  British  government  is  prepared  to  meet  m  t  in  the  eves 
onourside.  Our  title  is  clear;  our  rights  are  un  tgon,  and  thrt 
questionable;  her'e  are  the  reverse.  Unless,  thes  er  that  which 
you  intend  to  hold  out  inducements  to  Uie  Brttid  sar,  to  our  c 
government  to  anticipate  a  falling  back,  a  surrendei  ench  guvcmn< 
a  still  further  surrender  on  the  part  of  the  Amerieiii  to  any  oUier 
govemment,  it  strikes  my  mind  that  the  que«tioi|  Congress, 


t.  In  e«fiD«3!- 
ds  to  jou  to 
4r.  Chairmaa, 
ponent  of  Uoi 
lim  place  kim- 
liamenf,  carry 
hich  the  Exe- 
let  that 


of  CongreM 


requires  prompt,  energ;etie,  decisive  action  on  the 
part  of  our  governmetit — such  action  as  is  rooom- 
mendod  in  the  Prrsident's  message;  sueh  as  is  eon- 
templnted  by  the  resolution  on  your  table. 

But  there  is  another  view,  Mr.  Chairman,  in 
nonnexion  with  the  state  of  the  negotiation  which 
I    desire  to  submit  to  this  House.    If  this  Con- 
fess should  adjourn  without  haying  authorized  and 
empowered  the    Executive  to  give  this  notice  for 
adation  of  the  ibe  termination  nf  thin  joint  occupancy,  there  is  nn- 
l    will   he   not  [)iher  inference  which  may  be  very  clearly  and  dis- 
illy  authorised  inctly  drawn  by  the  people  and  the  government  of 
ess  ofthe  Uni-  3reat  Britain.    Will  they  not  be  prepared  to  say  to 
the  Preside  B  ^emsnlves  and  to  the  world,  that  there  Rxist«  in  the 
submilt^dj  re-  American  c^oTernment  a  division  of  opinion  between 
Uxfnatum  ot\ht  bese  two  (Tepariments  of  that  government — the  ex- 
rike  my  mfod,  ttutive  and  the  legislative — which  weatens  the  ac- 
isilion  which  I  ion  of  the  government,  and  enervates  her  energy 
ccupy,  that  my  ind  ability  ?    Tl>e  Executive  marks  out  n  courae  of 
I  the  conclusioa  Kilicy  evidencing  a  dispositio.i  on  the  part  of  ihHl 
lot  prepared  lo  leportment  of  ilio  government  firmly,  enfirgeiinally 
le  Executive  of  o  assert  and  maintain  the  fi;his  ofthe  government; 
to  give  tli«  »o-  Congress  falters,  falls  back;  Great  Britain  infers,  and 
occuiMincy,  the  nail y  infers,  that    there  exists  on   the    part  of  our 
if  to  one  of  t'votovernmeni  such  a  diversity  of  sentiment  between 
e  on  which  thslhe  two  diflcrcnt  departments  of  the  government, 
01  clear  to  th«|hat  it  is  impo-ssible  for  that  energetic  action  which 
3ongic98  of  tho  lie  occasion  requires  to  be  carried  out,  and  those 
t  the  Executive  loar  rights  of  our  government  properly  to  be  muin- 
le  suggestion  of  aincd.     Are  gentlemen  prepared  by  their  policy  and 
8  lust  communi- ourse  of  conduct,  to  aulhoritc  an  inference  of  this 
)n  to  the  British  haractor  on  the  pnrt  of   the    British  government? 
It  to  the  Ameri-    am    not  indulging   in  our  course    of    reflection 
fit,  whether b»o  much  from  the  apprehension  that  the  British 
it,  to  justify,  on  Dverninent  will   make  these  interences;  if  it  were 
ce  so  clearly  de-  ot  tliat   in   my  huinlilc  judgment  this  course  of 
;  which  we  *»•  onduct  would  authorize  them  to  infer,  and  give  the  in- 
oppoao  the  giv-  tzencn  strength  and  importance,  1  would  ilisrcgnrd 
nifestly  opposed  iicli  considerations.     But  I  cimnot  say  that  sucii  a 
ns  ofthe  Amei^  ^urse  of  conduct  on  our  part  would  not  authoti/.s  and 
hen,  Mr.  Chair-  istify  an  inference  of  this  sort  on  the  part  of  our  op- 
and  not  to  sub-  oncnts  in   this  contest.      Let   Congress   adjourn 
•e  liberal  propo-  iihout  givini:  the  notice  under  this  state  of  facts 
ejected,  is  it  not  jnnetled  with  tlie  negotiation — under  the  fact  that 
-IB  it  not  due  to  lo  recommendaiion  has  been  mnde  by  I'.io  Exccu- 
lal  feelings,  thrt  ve — and  liiat  Conaress  has  failed  to  r^rry  it  out; 
power,  howe*-  iid  will  not  both  Grtiit  Britain   and   the   liviiixeii 
or  Joinineerirjg,  orld  who  feel  any  interest  in  it,  bo  authorized   ta 
ta  to  which  sail  raw   thin   infereneo,  that  the  "clear,"  in(lis[iutahle, 
as  no  title  what-  id  "uiique.stiona'nle"  title  of  our  government  to  tho 
hole  of  Oregon,  is  not  so  strong  and  forcible  us  we 
ain  sver  made  alivo  attempttd   to   make  it?    But  why,   sir,  after 
ivo  her  atatesmei  venty-fivc  years,  or  more  than  twenty-five  years  of 
;)mpromise  upoi  ;gotiation,  when  tho  American   Congress  have  be- 
neetthe  response  re  them  the   proposition  which  has  been   made 
Congress.'      Ds  non  the  other  side,  and  no  substantial  reason  can 
able  proposition!  given  wlij  any  other  proposition  will   be  finally 
rnmcnl  has  sub  ;reed  upon,  when  you  have  been  informed  by  llie 
)  fornished  willl  cccutivo  department  of  the  government — to  whose 
is  her  uiiimalum  itids  this  matter  is   specially  committed — that  no 
videnced.  Then  'oposition  will  be  made  which  this  j^ovurnmentouglit 
d  the  ultimatum'-  accept — v/hen,  under  all  these  circumstances,  you 
N  been  submittee  iciurc  first  your  clear  and  indiHputable  title  and 
led  by  u  gulf;  Wi  ,'ht,  and  then  retuso  to  assert  that  right,  or  to  adopt 
reason  to  believ  tasures  fur  the  preservation  of  that  right,  will  it 
jpared  to  meet «  It  in   the  eyes  of  the  world  weaken  onr  title  to 
ur  riKhts  are  un  cgon,  and  throw  a  veil — I  care  not  how  thin — 
e.    Unless,  then  er  that  which  we  now  consider  so  bright  and 
ts  to  tlie  BritisI  tar,  to   our   conception    at   least'     Go    td   the 
ack,  a  surrender  ench  government,   to   the  British  government, 
;  ofthe  AiaerieiM    to  any  other  government,  and,  after  the  action 
that  the  queSttOlf  Congress,    refusing  to    give   this   notice— re- 


ftising  to  take  pomewrion  of  what  we  dedare  and 
believe  to  be  ours,  and  then  tell  me  whether  Ottr 
rights  are  not  weakened  in  the  estimation  of  thoae 
governments;  tell  me  whether  our  hand  is  not  leas 
■trong  than  when  we  first  entered  into  the  con> 
test?  The  world  will  so  consider  it,  and  wiD 
say  there  are  shrinkings  back,  and  misgiTingV 
among  us;  and  we  ourselves  will  look  iNick  t^ 
the  crisis,  which  I  consider  the  present  moment  to 
be,  with  regret  that  we  allowed  it  to  pass  by  with- 
out doing  justice  to  eurselves,  and  without  doinf 
justice  to  the  honor  nf  our  own  nation. 

It  is  with  me,  Mr.  Chairman,  a  question  invol* 
'..g  our  rights,  and  our  final — I  will  nut  say  acqui- 
sition— but  our  final,  complete  possession  of  the 
whole  of  this  our  own  territory. 

There  is  another  view  in  reference  to  the  nep>- 
tiation,  which  I  propose  to  submit  to  you,  Mr. 
Chairman,  and  to  this  House.  If  gentlemen  will 
put  themselves  to  the  trouble  to  investigate  the  nfl^ 
gotiation  lietween  this  government  and  the  eo?er«« 
nient  of  Great  Britain,  on  the  sulyect  of  Oregon, 
commencing  with  its  earliest  inception,  and  coming 
down  to  the  present  lime,  they  will  find  that  the 
same  reasons  which  control  the  conduct  of  an  in- 
dividual in  the  management  of  his  private  oflfairs, 
ought  sometimes  to  be  applied  to  a  nation  in  con- 
ducting affairs  of  national  importance;  and  the  very 
reasons  which  arc  now  ur^ed  for  the  further  post- 
ponement of  action,  edirient  action  on  the  part  of 
our  government,  will  be  found  to  have  exercised  an 
undue  influence  in  times  gone  by.  I  do  not  say, 
nor  do  I  wish  to  be  understood,  as  intimating  that 
there  ever  has  been  a  period,  in  the  history  of  this 
negotiation,  when  sction  of  this  character  has  been  so 
imperatively  'required  on  the  part  of  ourgovernment 
as  ot  the  present  government;  but  I  do  believe  that 
the  settlement  of  this  Oregon  controversy  could 
have  been  made  with  less  excitement,  with  lesB 
trouble,  with  le.ss  difficulty  in  past  periods  of  otir 
history,  than  it  can  be  made  at  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Chairman,  there  is  no  greater  error  in  the 
conduct  of  government,  or  in  the  conduct  of  private 
all'airs,  than  giving  way  to  the  disposilion  of  our 
nature,  to  postpone  "the  evil  day,"  aa  it  is  8ora&- 
times  t'jrmed.  You  will  find  tliat  the  po.'dponemcnt 
of  tho  Oregon  controreniy,  instead  of  opening  the 
door  for  its  amicable  mljustment,  on  terms 
more  satisfactory,  and  Ibhs  cjilculaled  to  create 
cxf.iicmcnt,  has,  in  each  step  of  its  progress, 
accumulated  new  and  more  insurmauntable  difii- 
eulties;  and,  todoy.  we  are  perhaps  further 
from  an  amicable  adjustment  nf  it  ihan  we  have 
been  in  any  past  period  of  our  history,  unlesi 
derided,  energetic  action  is  talcen  to  bring  it  about. 
What  are  the  reasons  mged  tor  the  postponement 
of  action?  •'"hy,  the  precedent  that  it  was  post- 
poned in  1S18  and  18127,  wlien  this  convention  was 
mat'ennd  renewed.  WeUi  will  any  gentleman  answer 
me  vhnt  has  the  government  made  by  the  contin- 
ued postponement  of  the  settlement'  Since  the  ac- 
quisi.iou  of  our  title  from  Spain,  at  every  moment 
tiie  diMicultics  have  increased;  they  have  never  been 
lightened,  and  they  never  will  be.  If  gentlemen  will 
submit  .'0  my  mind  a  course  of  reasoning  which  will 
show  that  at  any  future  period  this  question  can 
be  better  nettled  upon  principles  satisfactory  to  our 
country,  then,  perhaps,  I  might  be  prepared  to  go 
with  them.  But  I  look  upon  it  that  delay  now, 
like  delay  m  past  times,  will  but  increase  the 
difficulty,  heighten  the  excitement,  and  further 
and   further    prolong   the   period    before   a    tbir 


and  final  settlement  uu  be  effected.  Will  jsentle- 
jiicfl  liatcn  to  me  when  I  allude  to  a  diseuasion  fa- 
miliar, very  familiar,  to  the  older  heuda  in  this 
House,  and  a  disuueaion  not  very  unfamiliar  to 
thoee  who,  in  common  with  myself,  took  their  (tenta 
two  years  ago  in  this  Ilouae  ?  At  tlinl  time  the  Or 
egon  question  attracted  discussion  not  only  here  but 
in  the  other  branch  of  Congresa  Do  you  recollect 
the  reasons  then  urged  for  the  further  postponement 
of  energetic  action  on  the  part  of  our  government? 
It  wa.4  but  a  lepetition  of  the  argument  made  years 
before,  AS  the  history  of  the  debates  will  show.  You 
were  told  tlmt  negotiation  wAs  pending;  that  it  would 
be  improper  for  the  legislative  department  of  the 
Xovernment  to  interfere  when  the  matter  was  in  the 
hands  of  that  branch  of  the  government,  which 
aught  properly  to  consider  it;  and  that  when  it  was 
ascertained  tlmt  negotiation  could  nut  be  effected, 
'then,  and  not  till  then,  would  be  the  time  for  the 
Congress  of  the  United  Slates  to  act.  1  recolleci,, 
while  liHiening  to  remarks  of  this  character,  that  fell 
from  the  lipiofa  distinguished  senator — one  whose 
voice  nlways  is  listened  to  with  attention  and  re- 
spect—that  he  told  us  (and  otherH  cjncurrcd  with 
him)  tliut  the  British  government  had  reasons  why 
the  Oregon  question  should  go  on  and  be  postponed 
to  a  later  duy,  and  that  the  British  government 
never  inuked  forward  to  the  setilcmcnt  of 
the  Oregon  territory  as  an  agricultural  territory, 
or  with  n  view  to  muniifacturcs,  or  to  make 
it  a  pcrmnnent  settlement;  thiit  they  only  wanted 
the  right  to  the  fur  trade;  that  it  wus  being  exhaust- 
ed and  passing  by;  that  at  prcsicnl  it  wiiulil  brar  but 
a  bn  all  comparison  to  whiit  it  hud  been  in  former 
years;  nnd  that  ns  soon  as  this  iuterest  on  the  part 
of  the   British  government  had  ceased,  we  would 


d  the  restilt « 
in  proportion  to  what  it  was  a  few  yean  back;  other  ouartei 
ana  that,  drawing  the  fair  inference  from  tiie  post,  e  end  than  w 
we  may  conclude  that,  for  the  future,  Ihifl  tide  oT  Out  St  is  said 
emigration  will  continue  (o  roll  into  the  Oregon  ter-  i  thaJl  have  ; 
ritory  until  we  shall  have  taken  possession  of  it  by  :tion  of  our  o 
our  own  people  being  permanently  located  in  that  otection  of  th 
country.  If  I  mistake  not  the  feeling  and  the  spirit  ay  go  to  that 
which  has  induced  emigration  to  Oregon,  it  may  becirattenlion,! 
fairly  attributable  to  the  implied  promise  which  the  issogo  of  such 
action  of  this  government  heretofore  has  held  out  laeire  to  see  tl 
to  this  people,  tnat  this  joint  occupancy  would,  he-  over  the  Orej 
fore  this  time,  have  ceased,  and  their  title  to  home-  nsistently  wii 
steads  have  been  made  secure  and  certain.  Go  ^aly  stipulatio 
to  those  people  who  have  emigrated  to  Oregon  and]  things  remo 
nsk  them  if  they  believed  at  the  time  that  thejjtcndiug  her  ji 
abandoned  their  names  in  our  western  States  and  nut  your  law: 
emigrated  to  the  Oregon  territory  that  this  join  re  is  n  tcrritc 
occupancy  wus  to  continue  from  year  to  year  fna  of  govcrnn 
from  time  to  time,  and  that  they  were  to  be  lef  lier  na  the  r 
there  without  the  protection  of  the  laws  of  theircoun  inciplen  of  A 
try;  that  they  would  be  left  there  with  the  title  to  ever]  3ng  by  the  ntl 
foot  of  land  on  which  they  have  so  located  them'  ire  are  the  citis 
selves  uncertain  and  insufHcient?  They  settle  then  ing  with  nurp 
not  temporarily,  bat  they  build  up  for  themselves  i  e  laws  of  tin 
home  in  that  territory ,  which  we  say  is  ours,  but  whiol  ent,  under  v 
we  fear  to  declare  in  such  terms  os  shall  authorizi  em  different  s; 
that  emigrant  people,  whf  n  they  plant  themselve  untries,  like  ti 
on  any  portion  of  the  Oregon  territory,  to  feel  con  ingle  one  with 
fidence  that  they  are  on  ground  consecrated  I  id  pleasant  ha; 
American  freedom,  and  which  shall  never  cease  t  it  be  perpetual 
be  made  prosperous  and  happy  by  the  prevalence  o  Jm  this  simult 
republican  principles.  I  ask  you,  if  thJN  is  not  th  stems  of  lowe 
feeling  under  which  this  emigr.ition  is  curried  on  t  ings  may  cont 
Uicgon.'  Let  this  Congress  adjourn  without  gii  hich  your  noti 
ing  the  notice — instead  of  it,  proclaim  by  n  joit  rerting  our  rig 
reaolution    that    it    is    the    opinion    of    Congrei  ive  settlrd  in 


have  no  difficulty  in  asserting  the  wholeof  ourrights  j  tliat    this   joint    occupancy    shall    continue    froinceofthe  rea 


to  Oregiiii.  Well,  sir,  this  argument  is  now  at  an 
end.  Vou  will  not  interfere  with  the  executive  de- 
partment in  determining  in  favor  of  this  notice,  be- 
cause you  will  but  carry  out  its  recommendations  ; 
and  I  truMt  that  American  statesmen  will  no  longer 
ask  that  this  important  result  be  postponed  on  the 
ground  that  the  British  government,  when  it  has  ex- 
iausted  its  interest  in  the  fur  trade,  will  voluntarily 
render  and  yield  us  up  our  own.  No,  Mr.  Chair- 
man; our  right  to  Oregon — to  the  wholeof  i  'regoii — 
le  clear  and  unquestionable  ;  and  1  desire  to  see  it 
■naintaiiu'd  to  the  letter  and  the  spirit  by  the  ener- 
getic, cfticient  action  of  this  House  and  of  the  other 
House  of"  Congress. 

We  are  tild,  that  there  are  not  inducements 
sufKcitnt  to  carry  our  government  rashly  into 
a  contest  for  this  territory.  I  go  not  rashly. 
Sir,  twenty-five  years  ami  more  of  negotiation, 
of  reflection,  of  standing  still,  (if  I  may  munu- 
acture  the  term)  cannot  be  considered  rash  or 
heedless.  There  ia  a  duly  which  we  owe  not 
only  to  our  government,  as  a  government,  but 
a  'duty  which  we  owe  to  the  people  who  have 
emigrated  to  the  Oregon  territory.  Pardon  me 
for  a  very  few  remarks  on  this  branch  cf  the 
.subject.  We  are  told  if  you  postpone  giving 
the  noti -e-— if  you  allow  this  joint  occupa- 
tion to  continue,  our  people  will  be  emigrating  to 
Oregon,  that  we  will  be  building  up  our  defence 
in  tlie  hardy  sons  of  the  West  who  shall  have  gone 
there  for  the  purpose  of  finding  a  permanent  home; 
that  we  will  be  adding  barriers  and  defences  to  our 
pqawssion  of  the  Oregon  territory;  and  we  are  told 
.M  Bubstantiatioo  of  this,  that  within  the  last  two 
years  the  Miligrati«n  tt^ther  has  greatly  increased 


time  to  time — that  we  are  not  prepared  to  niaintai  i   protected, 

I  and  assert  our  unquestionable  rights,  but  that  w  e  force  of  re 

j  propose  to  do  it  at  some   future  period — then,  if  me.      It  is   ii 

1  mistake  not  the  spirit  of  the  West,  that  emigratio  n    continue  I 

!  i.s  at  an  end.     Can  you  induce  a  western  man,  wh<  ngth  of  time. 

we  have  so    much  public  lond,    when  there  aityofthis  go' 

so  many  inducements  held  out  to  him   to  emigro  regon  is  ours, 

where  his  settlement  will  be  perfectly  secure,  ai  in  it;  that  it  ii 

where  the  government  will  guorantee  to  them  the  I  ace  the   peopi 

tie   to  the   land,   to    abandon  oil  this   to  go  tojction,  the  sole 


country  whieh  we  have  asserted,  by  a  meredeclat  ates, 


Mr.  Chairmai 
le  perhaps  rel 


tory  resolution,  to  be  ours,  but  our  rij;hl8  to  whi( 
we  are  not  yet  prepared  to  maintain  and  defend? 

But  suppose  that  I  am  not  well  founded  in  t  her — one  to  i 
view  which  I  have  taken  of  the  s|)iritand  motiv  r  the  moat  of 
which  hove  operated  upon  the  minds  of  our  peoj  ct  on  the  othei 
in  causing  this  late  increase  of  emigration  to  Orego  dding  the  givi 
und  you  take  it  for  granted  that  the  emigration  w  ill  go  there,  i 
continue,  and  that,  us  time  passes  by,  under  this  a  y  will  be  taker 
other  causes  of  a  similar  cnoracter,  we  should  I  settled;  and 
come  greatly  strengthened  in  our  Oregon  possi  ndition  to  def 
sions:  we  now  avow  such  to  be  our  po.  ;y,  a  fhts.  I  will  a 
notify  our  opponent  of  the  fact.  Think  you  tl  imment  be  rea 
the  sagacity  of  Great  Britain  is  less  astute  now  th  epared  to  mai 
formerly  ?  Will  she  slamber  over  her  pretenc  rritory.'  Will  { 
rights  ?  Will  she  sit  quietly  by  and  allow  I  ite,  be  so  gooi 
United  States  to  adopt  a  policy  and  push  that  pol  TJod  of  time 
vigorously  forward  to  the  manifest  destruction  nitcd  Slates  wl 
her  claims  and  interest,  without  resorting  on  ir  national  rigk 
part  to  some  counteracting  policy  ?  Let  us  not  e  difficalty?  '% 
ceive  ourselves  as  to  the  chitracter  of  those  w  e  Ore^n  territ 
whom  we  are  dealing.  Rest  assured  that  if  we  itawingtollK 
sort  to  the  course  suggested,  we  shall  be  met  at  e  ivyf  Kohtam 
step  in  our  progress  by  similar  measures — if  noi  )d  priaeifjle  ^ 
kind,  certainly  m  effect — by  the  British  govemmi 


becir 
the  iflsago 
out  los' 
be-  OA 
home-  nsiKtei 
Go  'My 
juid   thi 
they  tend 
anil  isrt 
join  ri! 
year  ms 
lefl 
un 

erj  mg 
them  re 
n  ing  ' 
e 
ei 
rizKMK) 
ihcmselve  untrirs, 


few  years  back; 

I  trom  tlie  past, 
iture,  thiii  tide  oT 
lo  the  Oregon  ter 
Msesaion  of  it ' 
ly  located  in 
ing  and  the  spirii 
Oregon,  it  may  ' 
iromiHe  which 
fare   has  held 
paney  would,  be- 
leir  title  to  ' 
and  certain 
led  to  Oregon  and 
le   lime  that  ' 
;8lern  States 
y  that  this  j 
m   yeur  to  j 
f  were  to  be 
lows  of  their  coun 
ihtlic  title  to  ev 
;  ao  located 

They  settle  the 
)  for  theinscWes 
Ms<>'irs,bulwhic 
IS  shall  autho 

plant 

riiory,  to  feel  con 
id  consecrated 
hall  never  cease 
f  the  prcvnletice 
,  if  this  is  not  I 
on  is  curried  on 
ourn   williout  g 
roclaiui  by  n  joi 
lion    of    Congre; 
.11    continue    fro 
epared  to  niuintai 
ghts,  but  that  w 

period — then,  if 
Bt,  that  emig 
western  niiui,  w 
,    when  there 

0  him  to  emig 
srfcctly  secure, 
itec  to  them  the 

II  this   to  go  to 
by  a  mere 
jr  rights  to  whi( 
in  and  defend? 
loll  founded  in 
spirit  and   molit  r 
linds  of  our  peo 
ligrutiiin  to  Or 
the  emigr:\tion 

1  by,  under  this 
er,  we  should 
ur  Oregon 
be  our  po    ;y 

Think   you 
ss  astute  now 
)ver  her  pi 
by  and  allow 
id  push  thai  , 
fest  destruction 
It  resorting  on 
y  ?     Let  us   not 
cter  of  those 
isured  that  if  wo 
shall  be  met  at  ei 
neasures — if  no 
British  govemm 


d  the  reiult  would  be,  that  after  the  expiration  of 


w  e 


jratio  II 


oth«r  ounrter  of  a  century  we  would  be  no  nearer 
e  end  tnan  we  now  are. 

Dut  it  is  said  we  shall  have  gone  far  enough  when 
g  shall  have  passed  our  laws  extending  the  juris- 
by  ;tion  of  our  courts  over  the  Oregon  territory,  for  the 
lhat|otection  of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  who 
go  to  that  country.  I  desire  gentlemen  to  direct 
attention,  for  n  single  moment,  to  theelfKCtof  the 
^'0  of  such  laws.     For  one,  I  am  in   favor  of  it. 
ire  to  see  the  laws  of  the  United  States  extend- 
over  the  Oregon  territory,   so  far  ns  we  can  do  it 
ntly  with  our  rights,  consistently  with  our 
stipulations.     But  how  long  can  su-'h  a  state 
things   remain?    Great  ftrituin   paises  her  laws, 
ing  her  jurisdiction   over  this  territory;  you 
your  laws  extending    your  jurisdiction;  and 
is  n   territory  under  the  operation  of  two  sys- 
of  government,  as  widely  separated   from  ear.h 
ler   as  the   north   and  south  pole.     Here  are  the 
inciples  of  American  freedom,  carried  and  borne 
by  the  officers  of  the  American  government; 
are  the  citizens  of  the  British  government,  min- 
with  our  people,  who  have  extended  over  them 
laws  of  tJieir  monarchical  or  despotic  govern- 
ent,   under  which    they  seek    protection.     Can 
dift'ercnt  systems — can   these  laws  of  different 
ike  the  citizens  of  those  countries,  com- 
ingle  one  with  the  other,  all   going  on  in  sweet 
ti  id  pleasant  harmony?    Cau  it  be  so?    Must  there 
t  It  be  perpetual  collisions   and  difficulties  resulting 

0  im  this  simultaneous  operation  of  two   different 
th  'Stems  of  laws?     It  may  be  that  such  n  state  of 

t  ings  may  continue  during  the  twelve  months  for 

1  hieh  your  notice  is  given;  but  to  say  that  this  is 
r  rerting  our  rights,  and  doing  justice  to  those  who 

ef^ve  setUrd  in  the  Oregon   territory,   in  the  indul- 
nceofthe  reasonable  expectation  that  they  shall 
protecte<l,   does   not  strike  my  mind  ns  bearing 
force  of  reason  or  of  justice.      It  cannot  be 
ine.      It  is   impossible  that  these    two  systems 
continue   to   operate    together    for  any  great 
h^gthoftime.    From  this,  1   infer  that  it  is  the 
a  ity  of  this  government  to  show  that  we  believe 
ra  regon  is  ours,  and  that  we  are  determined  to  re- 
al in  it;  that  it  is  our  duty,  m  Moa  as  practicable,  to 
ace  the  people  of  that  country  under  the  pro- 
ction,  the  sole  protection  of  the  laws  of  the  United 
idcclaivites. 

Mr.  Chpiirman,  there  is  one  objection  urged,  and 
le  perhaps  relied  on  with  greater  force  Uion  any 
tfher — one  to  which  oar  attention  has  been  drawn 
the  most  of  those  who  have  diaeuseed  this  sub- 
on  the  other  side.     We  are  toM  that,  by  with- 
egclilding  the  giving  the  notice  first,  oar  emigration 
go  there,  snd,  bjr  that  means,  that  the  couii- 
will  be  taken  poseeeion  of  and  our  title  be  quiet- 
settled;    and  next,  that  we  are  n«t  now  in  a 
ion  to  defend    oar  title    and    maintain  our 
I  will  aek  gentlemen,  when  will  thia  go- 
tfrnment  be  ready?  When  will  thia  government  be 
th  epared  to  maintain  oar  just  rights  in  the  Oregon 
etent  rritory?  Will  gentletnen  who  follow  me  in  this  de- 
ite,  b«  so  good  a*  to  inform  the  country  to  what 
pol  I'iod    of  tnne   they    look   forward    when    the 
nited  SlalM  will  be  in  ajnroper  eonditrDn  to  defend 
national  righto  in  the  Oregon  territoryf  Where  is 
difficoity?    Why  are  yon  not  preparad  to  defend 
Ore^n  territory  and  your  righta  in  the  territory^ 
itowingtoilMooBdition  of  yeura.     >   <r«fyo«r 
ivyf  00  Au-  M  yo«r  army  w  coaoeirtM^,  it  ia  a  se«- 
id  priaeifile  fa  Ihe  forflrtuMBt,  if  I  tuuUntaod 


I]  et 


will 
ay 


posBi  mdit 
a  jhtfl. 


iri 


and  appreciate  our  naopla  aright,  that  the  govern- 
ment never  shall  be  aej[>endant  on  a  standing  army 
for  the  protection  of  the  rights  of  the  people.  You 
can  never  induce,  and  I  trust  you  will  never  de- 
sire to  induce,  this  government  to  create  a  largo 
standing  army  in  time  of  peaeo  as  preparatory  to 
some  future  emergency  which  may  require  it.  The 
bulwark  of  the  defence  of  our  country  lies  in  tho 
heart!)  and  the  spirit  of  the  American  people.  It  is  to 
the  citizen  soldier,  and  not  the  mercenary  hireling, 
that  the  American  people  look  for  the  defence  of 
their  rights  in  an  emergency  of  this  kind.  Is  your 
navy  nut  prepared?  Mr.  Chairman,  I  um  not  fur- 
nished with  tlie  necessary  informntinn,  nor  should 
I  detain  you  if  I  was,  to  go  into  u  discussion 
of  the  condition  and  character  of  our  navy.  But 
tell  me,  when  we  will  be  better  prepared  than 
we  are  now?  Will  it  he  at  some  fiitm-o  period? 
Are  you  prepared  at  once  to  make  a  heavy  ap- 
propriation for  the  increase  of  your  navy?  Will 
this  government  ever  be  prep.ired,  in  a  time  of 
peace,  to  pursue  a  policy  of  this  kind?  If  so,  ic 
will  differ  widely  from  the  history  of  the  past  or 
of  Congresses  preceding.  And  those  who  are 
most  anxious  now  for  the  settlement  of  the  Oregon 
({ucstion;  and  those  who  are  in  favor  of  postponing 
it  to  a  future  period — many  of  them  will  be  found 
on  common  ground  in  warfare  upon  our  little  na- 
vy— that  gallant  navy  which  needs  no  praise  from 
my  hands;  it  ia  written  in  the  history  of  the  coun- 
try. 

[Mr.  C.  here  paused  for  a  moment  to  inquire  how 
much  of  his  hour  was  still  unexhausted;  and  hav- 
ing ascertained  that  he  had  but  about  ten  minutes 
more,  proceeded  ns  follows:] 

Mr.  Chairman,  I  have  exhausted  more  time  upon 
the  discussion  of  these  one  or  two  points  thrfU  1  nad 
intended,  and  I  fear  I  must  pass  by  some  others  to 
which  I  had  intended  to  refer.  There  was,  howev- 
er, one  prominently  brought  forward  in  this  discus- 
sion upon  which  I  must  bestow  at  lea.st  a  passing 
thought.  It  is  said  by  those  who  advocate  it,  thaC 
this  is  a  peace  measure,  and  by  those  who  op- 
pose it,  that  it  is  a  war  measure.  I  am  not 
prepared  to  go  the  full  extent  with  some  who  de- 
clare that  the  inevitable  result  of  the  passage  ef  this 
notice  will  be  to  involve  this  country  in  a  bloody 
and  destructive  war.  Nor  am  I  prepared,  on  thie 
other  hand,  to  go  with  those  who  fearlessly  assert 
that  there  is  no  danger  to  result  from  our  action  is 
reference  to  Oregon.  I  plant  myself  on  this  groun^, 
that  the  course  which  I  propose  to  pursue  is  the  one 
called  for  by  the  national  faith  and  honor  of  my 
country;  and  I  am  in  the  prosecution  of  what  I  co«- 
ceive  to  be  the  just  righta  of  my  government,  and 
am  endeavoring  to  carry  out  the  policy  beet  calco- 
lated  to  secure  this  end.  If  neaee  be  the  result,  I 
shall  gladly  welcome  it.  Ir  war  be  the  ooim»- 
quenee,  we  must  meet  it.  It  is  a  crisis  not  to  be 
avoided,  not  to  be  evaded,  bot  to  be  met  with  bold- 
neos,  firmness,  and  dedsion.  When  we  have  dj»- 
charged  oor  duties,  then,  sir,  it  will  be  for  anotker 
defiartment  of  our  government,  and  for  the  goveni^ 
mem  with  whem  we  are  ia  collision  upon  this  •«b' 
jeet,  to  do  what  they  may  conoeive  to  be  tiMir 
duly.  If  the  reault  shall  be  ioatupieioas — if  it 
■hall  involve  us  in  a  war — I  will  have  the  coi^ 
soling  redeetioa  left  that  I  have  pursued  s  coune  tfi 
policy  dietaled  by  the  best  iiit»r«t>  of  uy  country,, 
as  iar  OS  I  have  been  enabled  to  appr«ajate  tboaa  k^ 
tereata.    That  we  ehotiid  su^er  rrora  a  war. 


oot-pietend  to  deny;  thoTwe  ohuH  lose  the 


8 


tMTttory  by  rciortin|;  to  a  war.  I  utterty  but  rr«pMt- 
fully  rapuninte  the  ideu.  WiMnever  (hit)  govern* 
ment  bIiuII  be  engaged  in  >  conflict  ofthiakind 
uiih  tlie  Uritiith  government,  or  with  any 
other  KOTcrnment  on  earth,  peuee  will  never 
be  declared  upon  terma  leaving  one  Toot  of  territory 
which  bna  ever  been  conaecrated  to  American  free- 
dom auiH  American  prineiplea,  afterwards  to  be  pro- 
fimed  by  nionareliical  or  deapotic  principles,  No; 
Canada  may  be  acquired;  I  ao  not  diB])uto  that  pu 
option  of  gentlemen  who  have  argued  ihia  propoai 
tion  before  the  Houae;  but  that  Oregon  will  ever  be 
abandoned  |>«acefully,  or  in  the  struggle  of  war, 
my  mind  huR  never  yet  baen  brought  to  that  con- 
cKiaion,  nor  will  it  be.  Sir,  upon  thia  day,  this 
memorable,  glori6ua  8th  of  January,  let  it  not  bo 
•aid  by  American  atatcjmen,  in  nn  American  Con- 
greaB,'thnt  this  government  can  be  weakened  in, 
or  deprived  of,  her  juat  and  unquestionable 
lights  by  a  conflict  with  Great  Britam,  or  with 
any  other  Ko^wmenl.  If  war  come,  I  ven- 
ters the  prudi'.lion  that  when  it  terminates,  we 
vill  have  the  cor<olation  of  knowing  that  not  a  Brit- 
ish flag  flonis  o..  .1  American  brerzc;  thut  not  a 
Britiah  subject  tread«  on  American  aoil. 

We  have  licen  aaked  to  calculate  the  coat  of  a 
war  with  England,  nnd  In  compare  the  result  with 
the  valuenf  the  territory  involved  in  the  issue;  and 
in  doing  so  gentlemen  have  been  pleased  to  present 
to  our  contemplation  a  picture  well  cnlculnted  to 
sicken  the  hcurt  of  the  patriot.  The  accumulation 
of  a  heavy  and  burdeiiaome  debt,  thereby  tending  to 
the  increased  taxation  upon  the  people;  the  losu 
of  valual'ie  lives  in  the  bloody  conflict;  the  de- 
Htructiun  ofour  commerce,  and  the  various  interestsof 
the  country  in  intimate  nsaocintion  with  it;  the«e, 
and  many  other  considerations  ofu  kindred  charac- 
ter have  been  brought  to  our  notice  in  most  feeling 
and  eloquent  appeals,  calling  upon  us  to  avert  these 
pnralizing  crtbri  <  upon  the  industry  and  energy  of 
our  people.  I  fully  appreciate  the  motives  nnd  feel- 
ings of  those  who  have  indulged  in  these  reflections: 
but  at  the  same  time  I  must  be  permitted  to  respond 
to  them,  thai  it  is  not  the  simiilo  question  of  the 
value  of  the  territory  in  dispute  to  be  placed  in  tlic 
opposing  pr.ile.  There  is  a  principle  involved  in 
the  isauc  of  far  dccfier  interrsl,  nnd  involving  Hir 
more  important  results,  it  is  tlie  principle  of  con- 
cession to  British  arrogance  and  British  cupidity. 
Onco  establiHh  the  doctrine  of  conce&Ninn  of  jiuit  and 
clear  rights  in  the  stead  of  a  bold  and  fearless  main- 
tenance of  them  at  every  cost  nnd  hazard,  and  the 
days  of  American  glory  are  numbered. 

I  desired  to  consider  the  proposition,  which 
lioa  been  submitted  to  ua  in  the  form  of  an 
an  amendment  by  the  gentleman  from  Alabama, 
(Mr.  Hii.LiAr.D]  to  whoae  remarks,  in  support  of 
tl>e  views  he  presented  to  the  House  I  listened 
with  deep  interest,  and  witli  the  course  of  whose 
areument  1  wtis  gratified  and  instructed.  I  am  not 
wiOing,  however,  to  abandon  the  proposition  rec- 
oounended  by  the  Committee  on  Foreign  AflTairfl, 
and  to  subslitute  in  lieu  of  it  the  one  submitted  by 
the  horKirablr;  gentleman  from  Alabama;  and  1  v/ill, 
witb  the  utmost  deference  to  that  gentleman,  give 
«B«  or  two  reasons  why  I  think  that,  with  the 
vifiws  he  hae  expressed— so  Dobly  and  so  eloquently 
«gcpr«sM<)^ — he  ought  to  be  willing  to  ^vo  the  gu-by 
to  his  atnendmentj  end  to  stand  with  us  in  sup- 
port of  the  origuial  resolutions.  Let  lu,  who 
tfgn*  Of»  Mb  MH^jsct.  meet  on  tomvar ,    nonod 


in  itipport  of  the  resolittion  reported  from  th 
Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs.  What  is  the  dll 
ference  in  these  propositions.'  The  resolution 
the  Committee  on  Foreign  Affaira  recommends  tha 
the  President  forthwith  ^ive  the  notice.  The  gen 
tieman  proposes,  in  lieu  of  that,  to  asseit  that  th  * 
President  be  empowered  to  give  tha  notice,  when 
ever  the  public  interesls,  in  his  judgment,  n 
quire  it.  I  consider  that  this  proposition  is  evi 
sive;  and  I  aver  that  it  must  ba  so  considere 
by  thia  country,  and  by  the  British  government 
Why  do  you  wish  to  empower  the  Exucutive 
give  the  nntien  when  tha  public  interest  require  ii 
if,  at  the  same  time,  we  are  not  prepared  to  exprea 
the  opinion  that  tne  public  interest  now  require 
it? 

Sir,  the  President  of  the  United  States  has  aul 
roitted  all  the  information,  in  connexion  with  thi 
sobjeci,  which  may  properly  be  submitted,  an 
which,  in  his  opinion,  may  have  any  infli 
ence  upon  Congress.  With  this,  he  gives  yo 
his  o]>ini(>n  that  the  notice  ought  to  be  give 
at  once,  that  this  joint  occupancy  shall  fort 
with  ceiiso.  The  gRnileman  from  Alabama  pn 
poses  now,  thai,  instead  of  taking  upon  oui 
selves  the  re-'ponsibility  of  met'tiiis  the  questioi 
and  declaring  that  wo  agrc  with  the  President,  an 
give  it  to  him  us  ou-  o>  n  ')n  that  the  notice  ougl 
to  lie  given,  and  cull  upon  him  to  do  it  under  on 
instruciionr.  that  we  merely  say  to  him  that  he  hi 
the  power  lo  uo  it,  nnd  we  shall  leave  to  him  to  d< 
cido  it.  Is  it  the  object  of  the  gentleman  from  All 
baina  to  place  upon  the  Executive  the  responsibilil 
of  {giving  the  nolic«  when  the  public  interest  r< 
quires  it.'  If  ho,  the  Executive  has  already  take 
that  responsibility,  ho  far  as  it  can  be  |iluced  upo 
the  uhoiilders  of  any  man,  by  the  rccoinmendatio 
which  ha  has  submitted  in  his  message.  If  yn 
desire,  then,  not  to  relieve  yourselves  (rom  the  n 
sponsibility — and  I  call  the  attention  of  the  friends  ( 
this  iniasure  to  the  distinction  which  I  draw — 
Conm-Ks  is  willing  to  assume  the  rcHponsibility, 
you  Mclieve  the  time  has  arrived  when  this  notic 
should  be  given,  when  this  joint  ocoupnncy  shnul 
ccuNC,  when  the  rii^hts  of  thegoverninent  sh..i;!d  b 
declared,  and  maintained,  cost  what  i'  may,  the 
meet  it  boldly;  como  up  to  the  question,  as  pn 
sented  by  the  report  of  the  commiltee,  and  sa 
to  the  Presldont,  cause  the  notice  to  bu  given.  Bi 
do  not  avoid  the  responsibility;  do  not  wtep  gentl 
behind  the  screen,  nnd  say  to  the  President,  "w 
decline  giving  un  opinion  ourselves  as  to  the  prop( 
policy  to  be  pursued  at  this  time;  but  w«  will  gi« 
you  the  power,  (whicJi  perhaps  he  may  alread 
possess,)  if,  in  your  judgment,  tho  interest  of  th 
country  require  it,  to  prr,  the  notice  hereafter." 
suy  lei  us  have  no  cvrding  of  this  question;  if  w 
bJieve  the  notice  ought  to  be  given,  let  us  so  de 
dure  by  our  action. 

Such  then,  sir,  are  the  considerations  which  huv 
brought  ray  mind  to  the  conclusion  that  the  tin 
has  arrived  when  the  government  uf  the  Unite 
iSiates  should  assert  and  maintain  her  just  and  in 
disputable  rights  to  the  Oregon  territory;  and  th« 
the  policy  inclirated  by  the  resolutioa  upon  you 
table  is  the  proper  initiatory  step  to  the  efficiei 
and  successful  accomplishment  of  that  object, 
present  ihem  to  the  coosiderntioa  ofthLs  House,  oo 
of  my  constitMCBta,  confidently  anticipating  froi 
them  a  response  as  creditable  to  theit  UBBrt«  mi 
viU  b«  gratefttl  ta  aa^  awn  fosNogs. 


th 


>orted  from 
/hat  w  the 
le  reaolution 
eeommonds  tha 
otico.  The  gen 
lo  Bsseit  that  th 
h«  notice,  whf  r 
judgment,  r 
•position  ia  #v 
A  so  conaidere 
sh  (government 
lie  Exucutire 
itereat  require  ii 
pared  to  expre* 
!8t  now  require 

I  States  h|M  mi 
nexion  with  thi 
Bubinittcd,  an 
iHvc  nny  inflv 
ia,  he  gives  yo 
;ht  to  be  give 
ncy  ohall  fort 
1  Alabama  pre 
king  upon  oui 
iii^  the  quustioi 
he  President,  nn 
the  notice  ougl 
do  it  tinder  oi 
him  that  he  ha 
ive  to  him  to  d( 
tieman  from  Alt 
he  I'CfiponKibilit 
iblic  interest  n 
as  111  ready  take 
1  be  f)laced  upo 
rccoinmendatio 
nessage.  If  yo 
'Ives  from  the 
n  of  the  friends  ( 
'hich  I  draw- 
responsibility, 
when  this  notic 
icQupancy  shoul 
rnment  eh..u!d  I 
hut  i'  may,  the 
question,  as  pn 
uniuee,  and  sa 
to  be  ^iven.  Bl 
o  not  Htep  genti 
9  President,  "w 
as  to  the  prop< 
but  Wrt  will  gi» 
he  may  airead 
le  interest  of  th 
ice  hereafter." 
a  question;  if  w 
ren,  let  us  so  de 


itioua  which  hav 
un  that  the  tin 
rit  uf  the  Unite 
her  jusi  and  In 
erritory;  and  tha 
utioH  upon  you 
p  to  the  efficien 
if  that  object, 
if  this  House,  ao 
ftnticipating  froi 
their  liearii)  « 


